Homesteader and Sailor

In 1995 Ray Gaither was homesteading above the Little Su River, expanding land use and upgrading buildings. He bought a sail boat. It was a 36 foot sloop which he named Lorena, his mother’s middle name. Lorena means crowned with laurels which symbolizes honor and victory.

The boat was near Seattle. In June Ray traveled there to sail the sloop north to Seward. The first Lorena log book entry states: “June 17, 1995, 1440: departed Eagle Harbor, Bainbridge Island and Puget Sound.” Otto Gaither, Ray’s brother, was captain and navigator for the 580 nautical mile first leg to Ketchikan.

Log entries during the trip:

“June 19, 1995, 1800: lost steering, now using emergency tiller.

2145, arrived at dock in Westview near Power River to repair steering system and put away emergency tiller.”

“June 20, 1995, 0800: Tightened quadrant cables and bought a few tools and hose clamps. 1600: Just returned from oyster hunt north of Telsola Island. Harvested enough oysters to last a few days; also harvested some rock crab.” The log book records on June 27, 1995, “1855 cleared Customs at Ketchikan.”

For the trip from Ketchikan, Jerry Bancroft volunteered to Captain Lorena to Seward. Jerry was sailor well qualified and familiar with the water and hazards on the northern leg of the trip into Seward. He brought some helpers. They departed Ketchikan for Seward July 12, 1995, at 5:35 AM.

Log entry July 16, 1995: “Arrived at Seward, Alaska, 2300, on Sunday July 16th. The duration of the passage from Sitka, AK to Seward, Alaska was about 77 hours. During the passage there was no apparent effort to plan or to cook meals. There were plenty of snacks and snack food and plenty of hot beverages. No one missed taking their turn at watch until land was in sight on July 16th.” The passage to Seward was smooth, no storms and no distracting incidents. Still, when they reached Seward and left the boat some of the crew kissed the ground.

On August 8, 1995, Ray and his wife Rose took their first trip together on the Lorena. They discovered the diesel engine used for windless days ran but did not move the boat; the prop did not turn. Ray contacted the Harbor Master for help.

The Coast Guard sent a rubber dingy to tow them to dock. A couple of Coast Guard employees came aboard the Lorena to do an inspection. All was in order except that Ray did not have possession of required documentation. A ticket was issued. The engine-prop problem was caused by transmission linkage being out of adjustment.

On a fishing trip, Ray and crew decided to check out a “Hurricane Hole” in the Taz Basin on Granite Island. There is a small sheltered bay for boats to use to get out of heavy storms. It was a small bay surrounded on three sides by steep, tall mountains. There were two entrances, one wider than the other. The Pilot Book said to use the more narrow entrance which was 10-12 feet wide.

Ray found Jerry Bancroft’s boat already anchored in the bay. That meant a less desirable anchor spot. The next evening, when Ray was ready to head back to sea, the anchor and its chain were hung on unseen rocks. Ray moved the boat around the anchor point stretching the anchor chain in different directions to un-stick it. It was hard work for Keith, Ray’s nephew, manhandling the half inch steal link chain. When the chain came loose from one rock, Keith quickly took up the slack. This was repeated until the anchor was free. The effort took around six hours and an overnight stay with the boat tied to a tree.

Ray eventually moved the Lorena to Valdez for lower cost mooring. The last log book entry states: “May 10, 2003, it’s raining steadily. I attended the Valdez Flotilla Meeting at Totem Restaurant with Alan Sorum, presiding.” There are 121 pages of entries and story possibilities in the Lorena log book.

Budd Goodyear is a local freelance writer who has had articles and photos included in publications throughout the state. Goodyear moved to Alaska in 1977 with his wife and children, and has worked in the Valley, Anchorage and Palmer. Goodyear contributes historical pieces to the Frontiersman.